Thomas Björn and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño claimed a share of second place at the ISPS Handa Wales Open to boost their Ryder Cup chances.
The pair joined Joost Luiten of The Netherlands and Richard Sterne of South Africa in a share of second place, as Thongchai Jaidee claimed his first European Tour victory on European soil and fifth in total.
Denmark’s Björn, trying to win a third cap ten years after his last came at The Belfry, climbed to 17th in the European points list, and looks set to climb from 15th in the World points list when the new Official World Golf Ranking is published on Monday morning.
And the 41 year old was pleased with his closing 68 that saw him move eight places up the leaderboard.
“I knew what I had to do today,” he said. “I thought with these conditions, if I could get somewhere around 66, I would have a chance [to win], but I got away with a couple today and unfortunately I hit two putts on the last few holes that didn't go in.”
Fernandez-Castaño closed with a 67 to move up 13 places, and his share of the prize fund takes him to 11th in the European points list.
The Spaniard is looking to win his first Ryder Cup Cap under compatriot José María Olazábal at Medinah in September.
